Atlanta Project Thread III

[Fiorenza]

Hear Hear! That's what the ADA should be doing with the cash. I have no problem with a Civil Rights museum, I'd be one of the first through the doors. Despite what some here may think, I hold the King legacy in high regard and consider him equally important with his namesake Martin Luther in my spirit. But please, let the funds come from private donations not the government, and put it midway on Auburn Avenue where it has meaning, not in an area of soda pop materialism and fish aquarium. I understand they think it would build traffic, but c'mon. If the sponsors would come with some concept, site plan, renderings, and fund drive, then I hereby pledge $100 minimum. I'm sure there are a lot of other old white Republicans like me who would do the same, not to mention people from all walks of life. Please, no public money!

[MarketsWork]

Well said, Fiorenza! I agree wholeheartedly.

[Atlantan26]

Yes, they should not build it by the aquarium! that would be a big mistake.
They need it in close proximity to the King center so tourists can visit both destinations. Perhaps a trolley could carry visitors between the two and you could see the wonderful auburn avenue area on the way. I really wish the vibrant black community here would come together and make auburn ave. a thriving area with shops and restaurants geared toward their culture. That would be awesome. Theres a similar concept to that in LA. I forget the name of that area.

[Terminus]

Originally Posted by Fiorenza

... and put it midway on Auburn Avenue where it has meaning, not in an area of soda pop materialism...

I agree 100%. I'd like to see it on the parking lot behind the AT&T long lines building (Auburn and Courtland).

[CityFan]

I think the Civil Rights Museum is a public project. Like any public projects, any public money infusion should be acceptable. Of course this project can accept money from private donors too. As to the location, Coco-cola's donation of the land for the project is a very generous gift to the city of Atlanta. It's a prime location for any museums, IMO. It definitely will attract more visitors to the museum. I am all for it.

[Tombstoner]

Originally Posted by Atlantan26

Yes, they should not build it by the aquarium! that would be a big mistake.
They need it in close proximity to the King center so tourists can visit both destinations. Perhaps a trolley could carry visitors between the two and you could see the wonderful auburn avenue area on the way. I really wish the vibrant black community here would come together and make auburn ave. a thriving area with shops and restaurants geared toward their culture. That would be awesome. Theres a similar concept to that in LA. I forget the name of that area.

I don't think there is a "black community" that can come together to develop businesses gears towards "their" culture. African-Americans are a pretty diverse lot--self-consciously making Auburn Ave. reflect blackness sounds a bit like a tasteless theme-park. Auburn Ave. is becoming wonderfully diverse with lots of people of all colors reflect a unique and worthy evolution from it's African-American roots. A neighborhood is a living thing, not a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
While it is obvious that there needs to be links to the MLK Center, we should avoid making this museum synonymous with A-A civil rights. It would quickly degenerate into a Museum of Victimhood politicized by the Cynthia McKinneys of the world (and I don't think many people, black or white, want that). I think public funding might be a way to prevent that, or a museum board that is comprised of many ethnic, religious, racial, sexual-orientation, physical disability, labor advocacy groups that are mandated/obliged to agree on cross-cutting themes, issues, and interpretations of history.

[smArTaLlone]

Originally Posted by Fiorenza

Atlanta is broke, but can find $40 million for a civil rights museum!

"The city cannot use any of the money to pay for city services or employee salaries."

[smArTaLlone]

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Alston & Bird have started a search for office space not limited to Midtown. However, those with knowledge of the firm say that a move from Midtown is very unlikely. Their current lease of 436,000 SF at One Atlantic Center and Atlantic Center Plaza doesn't expire until 2013.

Assuming a move from Atlantic Center, that's enough space to start any of the proposed office projects around town.

[Atlantan26]

yes i agree with you on the diversity of the museum tombstoner. We are already a black tourist destination, lets open our minds and branch out and look into things that will draw in international dollars to the city as well as domestic dollars from a diversified group of people.

[Fiorenza]

What about an Atlanta civil rights museum would distinguish it from civil rights museums that exist in practically every other urban city?

[Andrea]

Major goings-on in Forsyth. From yesterday's Atlanta Business Chronicle:

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has acquired 28 acres in Forsyth County -- real estate it plans to develop into a medical campus, in what some say could become the demographic center of metro Atlanta.

The development, at the intersection of Georgia 400 and Peachtree Parkway, will cost up to $100 million and employ as many as 500. The campus would include outpatient imaging and diagnostic services, doctor's offices, rehabilitation services and a hospital of up to 100 beds.

The facility, flanked by Northside Hospital-Forsyth to the north and Emory Johns Creek Hospital to the south, would be the latest addition to the growing medical corridor along Georgia 400.

The region could evolve into a "new Pill Hill," hospital lobbyist Jimmy Lewis said, referring to the cluster of multiple hospital systems and medical facilities in the Dunwoody area.

"The area is becoming the demographic center of Atlanta," Lewis said. "This is where the youth is of the city. The affluence and the youth leads to pediatric need."

[atl2phx]

Originally Posted by Fiorenza

What about an Atlanta civil rights museum would distinguish it from civil rights museums that exist in practically every other urban city?

for starters, the fairly significant king papers. they will be here rather than the library of congress, the smithsonian and a number of other organizations across the country that wanted them.

then there's the proximity to AU, MLK center and atlanta....home to a thriving concentration of successful black businesses and neighborhoods.

[ThrashATL]

Originally Posted by Andrea

Major goings-on in Forsyth. From yesterday's Atlanta Business Chronicle:

Northside Forsyth is quickly becoming a MAJOR hospital up at exit 14 if it already isn't considered that. The new women's health center there will rival the one they built in Dunwoody.

[AtlMidtowner]

Originally Posted by Fiorenza

Hear Hear! That's what the ADA should be doing with the cash. I have no problem with a Civil Rights museum, I'd be one of the first through the doors. Despite what some here may think, I hold the King legacy in high regard and consider him equally important with his namesake Martin Luther in my spirit. But please, let the funds come from private donations not the government, and put it midway on Auburn Avenue where it has meaning, not in an area of soda pop materialism and fish aquarium. I understand they think it would build traffic, but c'mon. If the sponsors would come with some concept, site plan, renderings, and fund drive, then I hereby pledge $100 minimum. I'm sure there are a lot of other old white Republicans like me who would do the same, not to mention people from all walks of life. Please, no public money!

Wow, I agree as well!!!!

I believe money would flow very quickly from private funds, especially corporations that have HQs here in Atlanta. I also think it would make King's legacy look like a cheesy tourist attraction if it were next to the Soda Museum and Aquarium.

Everyone of my relatives that comes to Atlanta ALWAYS wants to see the King Center, and if the Civil Rights Museum were within walking distance, that would be wonderful!! Plus it would also bring more people to the King Center and to the Edgewood/Auburn/Inman Park area.

[CityFan]

Thought maybe someone would be interested in looking at it.

http://www.180peachtreeretail.com/

[Tombstoner]

Whoa-- that red sign is really hideous
It'll be terrific to have retail here, however.

[GNofAtlanta]

Found These,

element Atlanta Buckhead (Starwood brand)- Opening June 1, 2010
-intersection of Peachtree and Piedmont

aloft Atlanta Buckhead - Opening June 1, 2010
-intersection of Peachtree and Piedmont

[smArTaLlone]

Atlanta Business Chronicle

The Hilton Garden Inn at Centennial Olympic Park officially opened its commercial helipad Wednesday, the first public helicopter landing zone in downtown Atlanta.

The helipad is positioned atop the 15th floor of the Hilton Garden Inn next to what will eventually be a new rooftop bar overlooking the park and the city's skyline.

The Hilton Garden Inn, which opened in March 2008, features 242 rooms adjacent the Georgia Aquarium.

Atlanta-based Legacy Property Group developed the Luckie Marietta District, a 6-acre development including the Hilton Garden Inn, the adjacent Embassy Suites Hotel, the 98-unit Centennial Park West condominiums and several high-end restaurants.

"This helipad is one of the distinct features that will set the Luckie Marietta District apart as Atlanta's most thriving mixed-used district," said Legacy President David Marvin. "The helipad addition will give celebrities and exclusive guests an opportunity to enjoy the city's premier destination without the hassle."

North Atlanta Executive Air Service will manage the helipad. VIP shuttle services will be available.

[Andrea]

Are developers in all parts of the city required to pay impact fees? According to this map, it looks like most of Midtown and Downtown are exempt. If so, what's the logic behind that?


http://www.scribd.com/doc/4193937/Impact-Fee-Map

[Harry Cane]

Hey, I just noticed something's changed.

What's up with BabbyDaddy? Did that boy get banned AGAIN???